Rafael Nadal’s injury problems struck again as the defence of his Australian Open title ended with a second-round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald.
The top seed suffered a hip injury during the second set and eventually limped to a 6-4 6-4 7-5 loss while Emma Raducanu gave Coco Gauff a good battle before going down 6-3 7-6 (4).
Cameron Norrie was the last man standing, finishing off victory over Constant Lestienne at 1.28am, more than 12 hours after Iga Swiatek and Jessica Pegula moved through to round three.
Picture of the day
Quote of the day
Point of the day
OUTRAGEOUS 🤯
Jason Kubler has just won a 70-shot rally to break, absolute scenes on JCA! 😍#GoAussies • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/dkZCshl1qhAdvertisement— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 18, 2023
Barty’s back
“It’s so nice to be back here again ... a day like today brings people together." 🙌
Ash Barty makes a happy return to Melbourne Park, launching First Nations Day at the Australian Open #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/sBTdXzrOzh— TennisAustralia (@TennisAustralia) January 18, 2023
Reigning women’s champion Ashleigh Barty was back at Melbourne Park alongside mentor Evonne Goolagong Cawley to launch First Nations Day.
Don’t call me Nick
Oh dear 😂 @TKokkinakis • @NickKyrgios • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/BaxTfvIJCO
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 18, 2023
Next Gen
Tatjana is playing today but first she’s on court with her daughter. So wholesome !!! pic.twitter.com/1dD51e6RAj
— Daria Saville (@Daria_gav) January 17, 2023
Watch out in a few years for Tatjana Maria’s nine-year-old daughter Charlotte, who appears to possess a killer forehand.
Fallen seeds
Women: Daria Kasatkina (8), Beatriz Haddad Maia (14), Petra Kvitova (15), Zheng Qinwen (29), Jil Teichmann (32)
Men: Rafael Nadal (1), Botic Van De Zandschulp (32)
Who’s up next?
Congratulations to @andy_murray on his first round win at the #AUSOpen.
It was a great, competitive match, and no one loves to compete more than Andy, who should play as long as he wants!
He continues to set the example for every generation:
Never Give Up! https://t.co/wq9MNUVMWe— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 17, 2023
Andy Murray will attempt to follow up his brilliant victory over Matteo Berrettini when he faces Australian favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis in the night session on Margaret Court Arena.
Title favourite Novak Djokovic also plays at night, taking on French qualifier Enzo Couacaud in another test of his injured hamstring, while Dan Evans plays veteran Jeremy Chardy first up.
Two intriguing clashes in the women’s draw see fourth seed Caroline Garcia meet former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and second seed Ons Jabeur take on talented Czech Marketa Vondrousova.
